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Casino Blackjack

Casino Blackjack

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21 101: How to Play Casino Blackjack

Do you want to learn how to play casino Blackjack and further improve your hand? This guide will help you know the basics of the casino Blackjack at scr8888. For other players, blackjack is called “21.”

All in the Cards

Blackjack may appear complicated, but it is actually a very simple game that can be played using 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 card decks. These cards will be shuffled either by a shuffling machine or a dealer.

In a single-deck game, the dealer holds and deals out these cards.

In a double-deck game, all cards are dealt in box named “shoe.”

In a handheld game, all players are permitted to get their cards after they are dealt, face down.

In a shoe game, the players are not permitted to touch these cards, after they are dealt, face up.

Basic Play

In Blackjack, the goal is to defeat the dealer. This means, the winning player should get a total score of 21.

If the total of your cards is much higher compared to that of the dealer’s, but still under 21, then you win. If it is over 31, you will lose the bet, and bust. In case the dealer resorts to a bust, you still win.

Card Values

Card suits have zero effect on a blackjack game, only the numerical values.

Cards 2 to 10 – counted at face value

A Face Cards – valued at 10

An ace can be countered as 11 or 1.

A 5 and one queen should be equal to 15.

A 5 and one ace are equivalent to 16 or 6.

Hard Hand – a hand without an ace; only as 1 value

Soft Hand – a hand with an ace; its value can be changed

Table Play

In Blackjack, the cards are dealt at a semi-circular table. A square or a circle is allotted for every player. You can bring chips from a different table, or purchase them from the dealer. Then, put decide on your bet, and put it at the space allotted for you. Once all of the bets are in, the game starts.

If you are a beginner, the basic rule for you is to assume your dealer holds a 10 in the hole.

Using Hand Signals

A player should utilize hand signals for every final decision. This can maintain a smooth moving card game, and can a good way to prevent misunderstandings.

Stand – If you are already satisfied with the cards you are holding, let the dealer know that you no longer want to receive additional cards, and that you want to stand up. Wave your hand over your cards.

Hit — This simply means that you are requesting for another card draw. Tap the table in front of you.

Double Down – When a player takes a double down, he is allowed to double his bet after getting the first 2 cards. To signal this, the player should put one more bet beside your original bet.

Split a Pair – If the player is dealt 2 cards of the exact same rank, he can split these into 2 different hands. After this, he should make one more bet that is equal to the previous, initial bet. Let the dealer know that you want to split. Place your second bet beside your first one in the circle.

Achieving a Blackjack

If the dealer or you is dealt a 10-value card and an ace, you got a blackjack. This is normal. Once you get a blackjack, you should be paid 3-to-2 for your bet, given the dealer fails to get another blackjack at that same moment.

If both of you ended up having blackjacks, that is what you call a push. Then, your bet should be returned to you. In case only the dealer got a blackjack, then you and all of the other players lose.

Insurance

If the dealer ends up getting an ace for an up card, he will offer an insurance. It is a side bet that a player makes by wagering one half of the original bet.

Surrender

Many casinos allow players to surrender their hands. Once they do, they give up one half of their bets on the first 2 cards. It is called “late surrender.” However, this is not available in most casinos.

A Simple Strategy

There are quite a lot of things that you should know to efficiently play Blackjack. But, once you get to know the rules, rest assured that it will be fun and your games would go on smoothly. Play your hand well so you can decrease the house edge to less than 1%. You just need to study basic mathematical strategy to understand when to stand and hit. It is okay to bring strategy charts in casinos, as long as it won’t slow the game down.

If played well, Blackjack can be regarded as the best card game inside a casino. It can also have the lowest house edge.